Trying to Get Back Into a Routine

For the past few months, I feel like my life has been in a state of suspended animation. External circumstances have slowed my daily routine to almost a virtual stop.

I began the year with high hopes and lots of plans for my ebay business and a new website I hoped to have online soon.

Then my dad, who had cancer, took a turn for the worst and passed away unexpectedly April 6. Soon after that, my brother became sick. He was also diagnosed with cancer and passed away unexpectedly June 20. He was my only brother.

Dealing with the grief and loss of these two men has been overwhelming at times. Added into the mix is the toll this has taken on my mother. She was married to Dad for 61 years and my brother was her oldest child.

Slowly, I am healing. I am determined to work every day on my ebay business and my new website, which will be an informational site about the hobby of doll collecting.

Here is a tribute I wrote about my brother Mike.

My Brother Mike

As a storm raged outside, my brother Mike went to sleep and woke up in Heaven. Mike was my older brother. He was my only brother.

When he was twelve years old, he got sick. He started having epileptic seizures. Doctors didn't know why they started and medication never completely controlled them. Even though he was sick most of his life, I never heard Mike ever blame God.

When he was misunderstood and tormented by bullies at school, he ignored them and went about his business. (Believe me, when I say that I have a very low opinion of bullies)

Mike's life had challenges most people wouldn't understand but he faced them bravely. He had courage. He was kind and gentle.

As a kid, he was an optimist. One time we were walking down the street and he held is arms out palms up. "I wish some gold from Heaven would just drop into my hands," he said. No gold fell. But a bird dropped an offering there!

All children try to annoy a brother or sister from time to time. I say this in my own defense. Once I said something mean to Mike and he said, "I'm going to be nice to you even if you aren't nice to me. The Bible says that will heap coals of fire upon your head." He read his Bible every day and he had a healthy sense of humor.

Before we left the hospital, my sister Pat and I prayed with Mike and we sung the chorus of "He Touched Me" Pat bent down and said, "When Terri comes tomorrow, we'll all sing for you." He smiled and nodded his head yes. As children and teenagers, my sisters, Pat and Terri, and I sang in church in a trio call The Gospelettes.

Today Mike is listening to a Heavenly choir. He doesn't need gold to fall into his hands, he's walking on streets of gold!

I suppose he and dad are having a father and son chat. Dad probably said, "Welcome Home, son. I am so happy to see you! Let me show you around. You are going to LOVE it here!"

Shirley

Wordless Wednesday....Peek A Boo!

The Bucket List

Have you seen the movie The Bucket List?  It’s a story about two terminally ill men who meet in the hospital.  One has a list of things he wants to do before “he kicks the bucket”.  

Thinking he will never do them, he wads up the list and throws it on the floor where the second man finds it.  

They embark on a trip around the world trying to do all the things on the list.  In the end, they discover that the most rewarding tasks on the list were accomplished right at home. 

When my dad died a few weeks ago, I wasn’t expecting it.  Sure he had cancer, but Dad was a fighter.  I thought he would recover like he did a few years ago when he had a stroke or when he had an accident at work.  He was strong, he always seemed to bounce back.  This time he didn’t. 

I know Dad had a bucket list.  My sisters and I had to return things he purchased a few days before he died---a scooter never used and an air vent for his small camper still in the box--never opened.  We kept the new hat with the tags on it. 

This week, I finished something on my bucket list—I wanted to organize all my family pictures.  

As soon as I got home from the funeral, I started sorting and scanning pictures from albums and the big Tupperware container in the closet.  I put the pictures on CD’s that I mailed to family members. 

This was so healing for me.  I laughed at some photos and cried over others.  Through good times and sad times, I recognized the hand of God over my family. 

When I think of my dad, I think of 2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV 

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" 

To keep the faith....to finish the course...to receive a crown of righteousness.....That is the ultimate Bucket List!

Shirley

Fish for Dinner and Lunch Too

About a week ago,  a Great Egret started visiting David's fish pond for dinner.  

The goldfish that were too big to swallow, were flipped onto the patio to die in the sun.  

We tried to chase the bird off whenever we saw it but it kept returning for lunch and dinner until all the goldfish in the pond were gone.

All God's creatures need to eat I guess.  Shame he made our fish pond his fast-food restaurant.

Shirley

Highlights of The Doll Show at Lakeland Florida

The Gold Coast Doll Study & the Sunshine Doll Club work hard every year to present a first class doll show at the Lake Mirror Center in beautiful Lakeland Florida.  This year was no exception.  

We have friends who winter in Lakeland and they meet us for the day.  Mary Jane is not a doll collector but she always enjoys the show and this year I thought she might just be tempted to buy a doll!!

No such problem for me, I bought two!  

Here are some photos I took at the show.  Notice the small BJD (ball-jointed-doll) with the wild orange wig.  She came home with me.  Her name is Laughter and that is something we certainly can use more of these days!

The dolls of Berdine Creedy

If you want to know when there is a doll show in your area, go to the website of the United Federation of Doll clubs and click on the calendar link.

http://www.ufdc.org

 

Shirley